Webber Checks In

It is about setting up a succession plan that means we are as prepared as we possibly can be going forwards into these crucial periods"

Kevin Thelwell

Wolves are pleased to announce the appointment of Stuart Webber as the club’s new Head of Recruitment.

Webber will report to recently-appointed Head of Football Development and Recruitment Kevin Thelwell as part of the new footballing structure announced in mid-December, and joins the department already featuring Technical Recruitment Officer Chris Badlan.

Webber boasts extensive experience at different levels of the game having previously worked for Wrexham, Liverpool and Queens Park Rangers.

“I am delighted that Stuart has joined the club,” said boss Ståle Solbakken.

“It is part of the new structure put in place with Kevin Thelwell and is an important appointment which will benefit us in the transfer market both at home and abroad.”

Having worked at Wrexham and set up their Academy scouting system, Webber joined Liverpool’s Academy as a Senior National Scout in 2009, later becoming Director of Recruitment in 2011.

Whilst working with Liverpool’s youth arm the players he signed included now England winger Raheem Sterling and striker Suso – both of whom have featured in the Reds’ first team – and Jerome Sinclair, who became Liverpool’s youngest ever first team player against West Bromwich Albion last September.

Last summer he made the move to QPR as one of the club’s Chief Scouts, but has now taken up the new role with Wolves.

Thelwell is delighted to have brought Webber in, as the new structure quickly settles in to what is required, which will include ensuring the club’s scouting network leaves no stone unturned.

“We were delighted to be able to get Stuart on board and he has now started working with us,” says Thelwell.

“I have known Stuart for a little while now and particularly from our time working with Academies.

“He did really well at Liverpool and played a major part in their recruitment drive at Academy level, with the players coming through at Anfield now demonstrating how strong that process is.

“Stuart also gained senior experience during his time with QPR.

“He fits in with us at Wolves not only thanks to his experience and expertise but in terms of the sort of person he is as well.

“His role at Liverpool was Academy-based but when you think about that both he and I have got a high level of experience of players who have since gone on to play in people’s first team or out on loan.

“Those players Stuart picked up may now be 21, 22 or 23 so he has a real working knowledge of the strongest, youngest and hungriest players that are out there.

“He also has that experience with QPR and knows the Premier League and Under-21 League very well, has strong European experience to bring to us as well as a wide knowledge of the Championship.”

Thelwell adds that while current focus is obviously centred around the January transfer window, the new team in place is also quickly getting things ready to be well prepared for the months and years to come.

“There are discussions to continue about what is to be done in January so we are as prepared as we can be and also that any players coming into the football club are able to go straight into the first team and make a difference,” he said.

“With the window now open we have a short term focus and are looking at what Ståle and the first team might need.

“Beyond that this new structure is about creating a process and a strategy that will stand the club in good stead going forwards.

“So that in the future, by this time of year we would have January very much sorted out and, even further down the line, the summer as well.

“It is about setting up a succession plan that means we are as prepared as we possibly can be going forwards into these crucial periods.

“We are fortunate to be in this position because Wolves is a great club with some very good people working here.

“On that basis we have got a really positive opportunity to create something that we all believe in.

“I am both excited and delighted about the way things are going from Academy upwards and think we have the opportunity here to create something very special.”

*With Thelwell now having moved into his new role, Wolves can confirm that Academy Head of Coaching Gareth Prosser is taking on the position of temporary Academy manager ahead of a permanent appointment being made in the summer.

Prosser, a UEFA ‘A’ license holder, joined Wolves in July, 2008, and has previously represented the club on several occasions on the Premier League’s flagship ‘Premier Skills’ international coaching programme.